Comparative Evaluation of Water Sorption, Solubility, and Microhardness of Zirconia-reinforced Glass Ionomer, Resin-modified Glass Ionomer, and Type IX Glass Ionomer Restorative Materials: An In Vitro Study

The challenge that practicing dentists face every day is to decide which dental material is best suited for each dental treatment. New glass-ionomer cement (GIC) formulations have been introduced in order to overcome the drawbacks of conventional ones thereby catering to the needs of the pediatric population. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate and compare water sorption, solubility, and microhardness of zirconia-reinforced glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, type IX glass ionomer cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 specimens were prepared in total of which 45 cylindrical specimens with dimensions of (6 × 4) mm and 45 disks with (10 × 2) mm were prepared from Zirconomer, RMGIC, and Type IX GIC restorative materials, each material having 30 specimens (15 disks, 15 cylinders). After taking the initial weight (W1), the 45 cylinders (15 of each material) were immersed in artificial saliva at 37°C for 28 days after which the weights W2 and W3 were weighed. The other 45 disks (15 of each material) were subjected to microhardness test under microhardness tester. Results were subjected to ANOVA and Tuckey's post hoc test. RESULTS: Zirconomer showed the maximum resistance to water sorption and solubility followed by RMGIC and type IX GIC with a significant p value of < 0.001 difference. For microhardness, Zirconomer showed the highest value with a significant p value of < 0.001 difference. But, there was no significant difference between RMGIC and Type IX GIC depicting almost equal strength. CONCLUSION: Water sorption, solubility, and microhardness of Zirconomer were significantly high in comparison to the other groups and it can be used as a posterior restorative material for stress-bearing areas. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: As pediatric dentistry demands restorations to be completed frequently in less than ideal conditions, Zirconomer has shown to be better than RMGIC and conventional GIC probably because of the improvisation in the GIC properties. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Bethapudy DR, Bhat C, Lakade L, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Water Sorption, Solubility, and Microhardness of Zirconia-reinforced Glass Ionomer, Resin-modified Glass Ionomer, and Type IX Glass Ionomer Restorative Materials: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(2):175-181.